Today is National Apple Pie Day and later today I plan to bake one just to honor this special day. I'll start with a Pillsbury Pie Crust unrolled and pressed into a glass pie baking dish. Before you get all persnickety about pre-made pie crusts, you can check out exactly why I do so with … Continue reading National Apple Pie Day
Links
Review – BLKS
It is very good to hear new voices in the American Theatre and the play BLKS at the new Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space certainly represents new outlooks. This is poet Aziza Barnes' first play script and she doesn't hold back. It is a full bore buoyant bounty of Brooklyn people of color that … Continue reading Review – BLKS
National Lost Sock Memorial Day
Today is National Lost Sock Memorial Day. Who knows what exactly is splitting up your beloved foot coverings? Laundry bag? Washing Machine? Dryer? Alien creature socknapping? Hard to know (because if you did, you wouldn't have lost your sock, now would you?). But whatever caused it, the sock is missing and you are left with … Continue reading National Lost Sock Memorial Day
Review – Friendly’s Fire
In this blog I review lots of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. There are many readings and off-off-Broadway shows I attend and they must be addressed sightly differently. FRIENDLY'S FIRE by John Patrick Bray is just such a developing work. Productions like this are being formed and will hopefully develop into larger environments. This play addresses … Continue reading Review – Friendly’s Fire
Review – Sincerely, Oscar
Sometimes a theatre production makes an unfortunate decision that mars or hobbles a show. When a series of unfortunate decisions are made in one show you get "Sincerely, Oscar" at the Acorn Theater on Theater Row. It is certainly an earnest effort by Doreen Taylor, a singer with a strong set of pipes, who conceived … Continue reading Review – Sincerely, Oscar
Review – Pip’s Island – an entertaining place for children in NYC
If you have children between ages four and ten and will be visiting New York City (or live here already) you should pay a visit to Pip's Island. Located at 9th Avenue and 42nd Street on the island of Manhattan, it is very easy to find. An interactive group activity for child Explorers (and their … Continue reading Review – Pip’s Island – an entertaining place for children in NYC
National Two Different Colored Shoes Day
With all the National Days I feature on this blog, I like to say there is one for just about everything and everyone. Here is an odd one and the explanation: National Two Different Colored Shoes Day was created by Dr. Arlene Kaiser. Kaiser created this day to recognize and celebrate human diversity. According to … Continue reading National Two Different Colored Shoes Day
National Truffle Day
We're not talking savory here, we're talking chocolate. Filled with a chocolate ganache, it is usually coated in chocolate or perhaps chopped nuts or coconut. Mmmmm. I think I know what's for breakfast! As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes
Review – Nantucket Sleigh Ride
There is some self-indulgent frippery going on at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center. But as the playwright is John Guare, he has certainly earn the right to be indulged. And because the playwright is John Guare, his frippery is far funnier than most. The plot is far too complicated and intricate to … Continue reading Review – Nantucket Sleigh Ride
National Bugs Bunny Day!
What's up doc? It's National Bugs Bunny Day in honor of your favorite Wascly Wabbit. It is timed to coincide with his debut in 1938. He looks pretty good for 81. Many National Days I feature are focused on celebrating foods, but not in this case. Wait a minute, maybe so. Hassenpfeffer! As always you … Continue reading National Bugs Bunny Day!
#ATOBTTR comes to New York City
My hometown Cincinnati Reds are in my dearly adopted New York City for a four game series against the Mets. I can't wait and will be watching closely. I will do all I can to help my Reds, including wearing their gear and joining them at CitiField Tuesday night. Of course, all will also be … Continue reading #ATOBTTR comes to New York City
“At the Diner with Dad” to be performed in Hood River, Oregon
My short play "At the Diner with Dad" will be performed at the Adult Center Theater in Hood River, Oregon over the next two weekends. Performances are scheduled for April 26-28 and May 5-8. It will be part of a program of four short play on the theme of "Parents and Their Adult Children." As … Continue reading “At the Diner with Dad” to be performed in Hood River, Oregon
Review – Ink
Who knew I would enjoy spending 2 1/2 hours with Rupert Murdoch? In this case it is a play by James Graham which dramatizes when Mr. Murdoch stormed Fleet Street to trash and revolutionize the august British newspaper trade in 1969. The now familiar themes and memes and methods of populist journalism are planted and … Continue reading Review – Ink
Ultra-Local Endorsement – Broadway Souvlaki
I have done NYC restaurant reviews and Broadway show reviews, but now a review of someplace that is terrific but you are unlikely to ever visit. Broadway Souvlaki is a tiny trailer on the corner of Broadway and Bennett Avenue up here in Northern Manhattan. It is just a short walk from our home and … Continue reading Ultra-Local Endorsement – Broadway Souvlaki
Shakespeare’s Birthday?
NEW YORK - Statue of William Shakespeare by the American sculptor John Quincy Adams Ward was erected in the Central Park in 1872. We don't really know for sure. The later to be famous Bard was christened on April 26, 1564 and that is the first time he is recorded to be around. Scholars make … Continue reading Shakespeare’s Birthday?
Happy Earth Day
Earth Day has been with us since 1970 and small steps have been taken since then. Bigger things are necessary if we are to save our planet. So many people think of forests and pastures in connection with Earth Day but I think we should think of cities instead. The co-op where I live in … Continue reading Happy Earth Day
Review – Kiss Me, Kate
Director Scott Ellis and the Roundabout Theatre Company have a habit of putting together tremendous musicals. Their latest classic musical remounting is Cole Porter's "Kiss Me, Kate." But as we have recently observed many of these works come with problematic histories as we've recognized issues with misogyony and the patriarchy. Just look at "Carousel" (spousal … Continue reading Review – Kiss Me, Kate
National Animal Cracker Day
Today is National Animal Cracker Day and before we go any further I have no idea why they are called that as they are really cookies. It must have something to do with the fact that the first batch was imported from England in the later 1800's and those Brits have weird names for things … Continue reading National Animal Cracker Day
Review – Burn This
Lanford Wilson's BURN THIS is a good script where what the heart wants the heart needs to get despite odds and likelihood. I saw a wonderful production of this work at Signature Theatre in 2002 with Edward Norton and Catherine Keener. It is not a good sign when that production is a more compelling memory … Continue reading Review – Burn This
The Brant Foundation Basquiat Exhibit
The Brant Foundation Art Study Center at 421 East 6th StreetNew York, NY The Brant Foundation is doing the art world a great favor. They acquired the building pictured at right and launched an inaugural exhibit of the works of Jean-Michel Basquiat. For Free. Incredible. The building was constructed as a Con Edison Substation in … Continue reading The Brant Foundation Basquiat Exhibit
National Glazed Spiral Ham Day
Mmmmm, I do like me some pork. If you've seen previous meat recipes on this blog you know I lean toward the piggie (Franken-Ribs, Homemade Breakfast Sausage and more...) So I perked up when I saw today's National Day. I was intrigued. My preference is Country Ham - not brined or water injected - but … Continue reading National Glazed Spiral Ham Day
Review – Classic Albums Live: The Beatles; Abbey Road
Interesting Concept. This group has been around for sixteen years and I have never heard of them. Their idea is to create live concerts with note by note, cut by cut. This is not a tribute band where performers play the parts in audio and appearances. It is not an interpretation of an artist's work … Continue reading Review – Classic Albums Live: The Beatles; Abbey Road
National Submarine Day
Oh boy, oh boy. When you are hungry at lunch there is noting better than a delicious submarine sandwich. Just the right crunch to the bread, quality cold cuts, tangy cheese, a bit of oil and vinegar for flavor and then bring on the lettuce and tomato and I am set for - what? Wait. … Continue reading National Submarine Day
Review – Broadway by the Year; The Broadway Musicals of 1943 & 1951
Scott Siegel runs an excellent series of a musical cabaret program of Broadway hits from selected years at The Town Hall. Arguably 1943 and 1951 are slim pickings beside Oklahoma! but there are favorites from many sources. The performers were uniformly skilled but the stand outs were William Michals, Robert Cuccioli, and Oakley Boycott. The … Continue reading Review – Broadway by the Year; The Broadway Musicals of 1943 & 1951
Ahem, about that #ATOBTTR post
So last week I celebrated the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day win saying I would crow with the hashtag ATOBTTR - the signal winning call of vaunted Marty Brenneman "And This One Belongs To The Reds." Problem is that it has not been heard since. Yep, we have lost every game since Opening Day and stand … Continue reading Ahem, about that #ATOBTTR post
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